Page 8 - 2021-Donor-Impact-Report
P. 8

 HVAF HELPS MARINE CORPS VETERAN JENNIFER EVERY TIME,
  8 | HVAF
After military life...
When Jennifer received her honorable discharge in 2002, she felt lost.
NO MATTER WHAT!
 “It definitely was a culture shock. I didn’t have that purpose that I had before,” Jennifer said. “I didn’t know where my place was.”
She coped with her mental health struggles by using drugs.
“I dealt with it the unhealthy way,” Jennifer said. “I didn’t really know what resources were out here at the time.”
For years, Jennifer continued to use drugs. She finally received treatment at the Indianapolis Veteran Affairs Hospital and overcame her drug addiction.
Coming to HVAF
In 2017, she received the terrible news that her husband had cancer. They came to HVAF for help, as she needed to be his full-time caregiver. For
the next six months, HVAF took care of their bills while Jennifer took care of her husband.
“That time I was able to spend with him was very valuable,” Jennifer said. “It was time where I look back and know it meant a lot.”
After her husband passed away, she turned to a new substance – alcohol. In just a few years, she had three DUI’s and faced federal prison. Thankfully – Veterans Court helped her. The Indianapolis Veterans Court focuses specifically on veterans’ and active duty military members’ unique needs by creating a therapeutic environment that addresses their criminal activity.
At IVC, they referred her to the VA’s vocational rehabilitation program – where she could work for the VA while receiving treatment at the same time. Because the stipend she would receive working for the VA wasn’t enough to keep the lights on, she came back to HVAF for help.
HVAF’s help
HVAF took care of Jennifer’s rent and utilities while she went through the program. After successfully completing the program, Jennifer now has a
full-time job at the VA.
        
















































































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